The Week Ahead: Nov. 27 to Dec. 3

All politics is local, an axiom that especially applies to this exhibition of campaign and Election Day paraphernalia that opened this fall (and runs through Jan. 21) at Lynn University. Organized in conjunction with Lynn’s hosting of the third presidential debate, the exhibit still packs an enjoyable, informative punch long after the election has passed. At front and center of the exhibition are symbols of Palm Beach County’s most infamous case of electile dysfunctional: a voting machine, butterfly ballot and hanging chad from the notorious 2000 election. The exhibition also includes decades of political cartoons from the Sun-Sentinel’s Chan Lowe, memorabilia from historian John Clark and Lynn University professor Robert Watson, and swag dating back to the Andrew Jackson campaign. There’s even a package of Al Gore bubblegum cigars, which don’t sound very appetizing, but hey – At least they weren’t Clinton’s.

OK, so everybody has seen “The Music Man” in one incarnation or another, but one could argue that you’ve never really seen it unless you’ve attended a Broadway performance or a Maltz Jupiter Theatre production – which pretty much amounts to the same thing these days. The gold standard for splashy musicals in South Florida, Maltz’ “Music Man” promises to be the area’s preeminent rendition of Meredith Wilson’s 1957 classic about a fast-talking con man peddling children’s band equipment to a fictional Iowa town. Several of its songs have permeated the American Songbook and popular culture at large, including “Seventy-Six Trombones” and “Til There Was You.” Out-of-town actor Matt Loehr, who stunned audiences in Maltz productions of “Crazy For You” and “Hello, Dolly,” returns for the role of Harold Hill, the titular music man. The show runs through Dec. 16.

Is the phrase “conservative funnyman” an oxymoron? When charting the landscape of political humor, it certainly seems that way; even most Republicans would have to admit that when it comes to comedy, they lost that battle to the Left a long time ago. But there are exceptions (P.J. O’Rourke has been known to tickle funny bone in blue and red states alike), and Greg Gutfeld is one of them. A snarky, smarmy Fox News commentator – and I use those words positively – Gutfeld cohosts “The Five,” his network’s contentious 5 p.m. chat show, where he provides yuks with a libertarian slant. He will sign copies of his new book “The Joy of Hate: How to Triumph over Whiners in the Age of Phony Outrage,” which targets so-called “artificial tolerance” among politically correct liberals.

Vedder postponed the original spring dates on this solo tour due to temporary nerve damage in his right arm. But the Pearl Jam front man is back in top form, music to the ears of the band’s fervent fan base, which will be in full throat for this two-night stand. Vedder’s 2011 record “Ukulele Songs” proved a hit with Pearl Jam fans and folk-music aficionados alike, with its 16 tracks of covers, new songs and rediscovered Pearl Jam B-sides. He’ll perform most of them and more during his first South Florida appearance since Pearl Jam played West Palm Beach in 2008. With a surprising set list that changes by the night, this is a tour not to miss. The Swell Season’s excellent Glen Hansard will be the opening act.

If any company is able to reconcile the serious artistry of ballet with the arena-show spectacle of the Ice Capades, it’s Miami City Ballet. The renowned company kicks off its 2012-2013 season by doing just that; it will present “Les Patineurs,” a piece it premiered a dozen years ago, which simulates the whirling, fluid movements of ice skating, complete with a tumble or two. The evening’s stellar lineup continues with Paul Taylor Dance Company’s “Piazzolla Caldera,” a steamy immersion into the culture and dance of tango. Finally, MCB takes on “Apollo,” George Balanchine’s first great masterpiece, which redefined ballet for the 20th century.

The musicians in the Canadian group Bowfire play only fiddles and violins, but the joyful noise they create effectively simulates an entire symphony. And this weekend, the string music maestri aim their bows at sounds of the season, with an all-new show titled “Holiday Heart Strings.” Complete with added singing and step dancing, Bowfire will bring its eclecticism to numerous genres, while offering its take on classics like “Sleigh Ride,” “So This is Christmas,” “Dreidl Dreidl” and others.

Yes, it’s a comedy show, but studies have proven that viewers of “The Daily Show” are some of the most well-informed news consumers in the country – second only to listeners of NPR, in fact. Part of the reason for this stunning statistic is that in addition to being funny, the writers and correspondents of the satirical news program are also well-informed and sharp as a tack themselves, looking for the real story behind every press release. Three of the show’s brainy news wonks will probably stray from politics, at least somewhat, for this stand-up triple bill. Author, Yale University graduate, Scrabble extraordinaire and television personality John Hodgman will join “Gary Unmarried” co-star Al Madrigal and “Daily Show” producer Adam Lowitt for a night of comedy that also includes an audience Q&A and a recorded video introduction from a certain “Daily Show” star.

If you’re looking for a unique Christmas or Hanukkah gift that you’ll never, ever find at Macy’s, Walmart or Sears, there’s no better place to shop than at this extravaganza at War Memorial Auditorium, arguably the year’s biggest vendor sale in all of Broward County. More than 200 vendor booths will offer all variety of antiques, collectibles and one-of-a-kind items, including vintage and retro goods, novelties, jewelry, second-hand items in mint condition, locally made products, edible gifts and more. There is no cost to enter, but donations are accepted and will be given to Flagler Garden or Grateful Paws Rescue.